Lin Shidong of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Liang Jingkun of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
SHENZHEN, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Lin Shidong of China suffered a seven-game upset in the men's singles semifinals, while Sun Yingsha cruised into the women's final at the Asian Cup table tennis tournament on Sunday.
The 19-year-old Lin, widely regarded as a potential successor to Chinese Olympic champions Ma Long and Fan Zhendong, squandered a two-game lead, falling in a five-game thriller to 28-year-old teammate Liang Jingkun 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 4-11, 11-9, 11-8.
Liang, who had staged multiple comeback victories in this tournament, said he fought for every point despite the odds.
Liang will face two-time Olympic gold medalist Wang Chuqin in an all-Chinese final on Sunday evening. Wang secured his spot with a six-game victory over Chinese Taipei's Lin Yun-ju 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5.
"I made quite a few unforced mistakes in the first game, but I fought on to the last point," Wang said.
Meanwhile, Sun Yingsha, who received overwhelming crowd support, dominated her semifinal match against teammate Chen Xingtong, winning 11-7, 11-7, 11-5, 14-12.
In the final, Sun will face her arch-rival Wang Manyu, who defeated Kuai Man 11-7, 11-4, 15-13, 7-11, 12-10 in the semifinals.
The highly anticipated Sun-Wang showdown is expected to be one of the loudest finals of the Asian Cup, as their matchups regularly split spectators into two rival fan bases.
"I will present the best of myself in the final," Wang said. ■
Liang Jingkun of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Lin Shidong of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
Lin Shidong of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Liang Jingkun of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Liang Jingkun of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Lin Shidong of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
Lin Shidong of China serves during the men's singles semifinal match against Liang Jingkun of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
Liang Jingkun of China serves during the men's singles semifinal match against Lin Shidong of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
Wang Chuqin of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Lin Yunju of Chinese Taipei at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Lin Yunju of Chinese Taipei hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Wang Chuqin of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
Wang Chuqin of China hits a return during the men's singles semifinal match against Lin Yunju of Chinese Taipei at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Sun Yingsha of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Chen Xingtong of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Chen Xingtong of China serves during the women's singles semifinal match against Sun Yingsha of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Sun Yingsha of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Chen Xingtong of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Chen Xingtong of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Sun Yingsha of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Sun Yingsha of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Chen Xingtong of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Sun Yingsha of China reacts during the women's singles semifinal match against Chen Xingtong of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
Wang Manyu of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Kuai Man of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Kuai Man of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Wang Manyu of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
Wang Manyu of China serves during the women's singles semifinal match against Kuai Man of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)
Kuai Man of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Wang Manyu of China at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup table tennis tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
